SBI NU ATM CARD THAI SHAKE CHHE BLOCK:- NEWS REPORT.

SBI NU ATM CARD THAI SHAKE CHHE BLOCK:- NEWS REPORT.

State Bank of India (SBI) has started blocking insecure and old ATM cards. The bank is replacing the existing magnetic stripe (called magstripe) debit cards with RBI-approved EVM Chip debit cards. This means that those who are carrying magstripe SBI debit cards may soon find their card blocked. These users should change their card to the EVM chip card at the earliest to avoid the blocking.

The SBI move is similar to the exercise undertaken by other Indian banks, including HDFC and SBI. However, given that SBI is the biggest bank in India in terms of users, the process of replacing cards at the bank may affect a large number of people.

The bank on its website notes that all magstripedebit cards which are blocked will continue to remain so. Instead free EVM chips will be issued to users who own the magstripe cards.

"All esteemed customers of State Bank of India are hereby informed that it has been decided by the Bank that all the magstripe Debit Cards which are in blocked state as on 28-Feb-2017 and to all such requests for blocking thereafter will remain blocked permanently. Instead free EMV Chip Cards have to be issued to them. The affected cardholders are to be advised to apply for replacement EMV Chip Card through internet banking or by approaching their home Branch," notes a statement posted on the bank's site.

SBI debit card holders are receiving a message from the bank informing that their card has been blocked. The bank advises people to apply for a replacement card at www.onlinesbi.com or home branch. The replacement EMV Chip Debit Card will be free of cost. For applying the new EVM chip debit card online, users needs to Login to www.onlinesbi.com using user id and password and under "eServices" tab click on "ATM Card Services" and follow the instructions.

To identify whether your card a magstripe or an EVM, look for a chip placed on the front side the card. No chip means your card is a magstripe debit card. Please note that a magstripe debit card once locked will remain locked forever and there is no way to unlock it.